Detention: Late April 2023 (according to family, April 26–27, 2023) at the Russian checkpoint 'Verkhniy Lars' during entry from Georgia to Russia. After detention, Denys was unlawfully transferred to occupied Crimea.

Sentence: As of July 21, 2026, there is no final sentence in open verified sources. The Russian Federation accuses Denys Petranov of crimes under Part 3 of Article 226.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ('Smuggling of an explosive device committed by an organized group'), Part 2 of Article 205.4 ('Organization of a terrorist community and participation in it'), Part 1 of Article 30, Point 'a' Part 2 of Article 205 ('Preparation for committing a terrorist act'), Part 5 of Article 33, Article 275 ('Complicity in committing state treason'), and Points 'a', 'b' Part 2 of Article 205 ('Terrorist act').

Denys Petranov was born on May 24, 1979. He is a native of Ukraine and a resident of temporarily occupied Crimea. According to the Representation of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Denys also holds Bulgarian citizenship. Before his detention, he worked in passenger and freight transportation, regularly traveling between Ukraine, Georgia, Turkey, and Bulgaria. After the start of the full-scale war, he helped people leave the occupied territories of Ukraine, transporting civilians and humanitarian goods.

In late April 2023, Denys Petranov traveled through Georgia to Russia. At the 'Verkhniy Lars' checkpoint, he was detained by Russian security services. Initially, his family had no information about his whereabouts. Only a few days later, it became known that he was taken to occupied Crimea and held in custody.

The Russian Federal Security Service claimed that Denys Petranov was allegedly part of a group preparing an assassination attempt on Sergey Aksyonov, Vladimir Konstantinov, and Yanina Pavlenko on the orders of Ukrainian special services. The Russian side also reported the seizure of explosive devices, electric detonators, trackers, and other items. Ukrainian human rights activists emphasize that such cases are often based on unverified evidence and aim to create propaganda narratives about alleged 'Ukrainian sabotage' in occupied Crimea.

After his arrest, Denys was placed in a pre-trial detention centre in occupied Crimea. Later, he was transferred to Pre-trial Detention Centre No. 1 in Rostov-on-Don, where he remains in custody during the criminal case proceedings. The Representation of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea included Denys Petranov in the official list of Ukrainian political prisoners unlawfully detained by the Russian Federation.

In 2025, Denys, through his relatives, appealed to the International Committee of the Red Cross and other international humanitarian organizations. In his appeal, he described the critical conditions of Ukrainian citizens in Russian places of detention. According to him, prisoners face a lack of quality drinking water, food, medicine, hygiene products, bedding, and essential items. He urged international organizations to actively seek access to Ukrainian political prisoners and ensure regular humanitarian aid.

As of July 21, 2026, Denys Petranov remains in Pre-trial Detention Centre No. 1 in Rostov-on-Don. There is no information on a final verdict or his release in open verified sources. His case remains an example of politically motivated persecution of Ukrainian civilians by the Russian Federation.

Information used from open sources: ZMINA, Representation of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Suspilne Crimea, Krym.Realii, Crimean Tatar Resource Center, Crimean Human Rights Group, Office of the Ombudsman of Ukraine, Human Rights Project 'Support for Political Prisoners. Memorial'.

Photo: ZMINA.

Update date: 21.07.2026.